Richard Wilson’s show “Journey into the Soul” will be featured in Hammond Gallery at the Boykin Center from Jan. 10 through Feb. 23, with an opening reception on Jan. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will also be an artist talk at 5 p.m..

Wilson is a visual artist who uses reality and creativity to produce images that reflect the beauty in the world around him. His talents were evident at an early age, and under the mentorship of his father he continued to develop his artistic skills. After attending Barton College, he received a degree in advertising and graphic design from Pitt Community College, where he later served as an instructor.

Wilson’s artistic strength lies in his capacity to reach a broad audience. Some paintings are nostalgic, some express connections that are only found within the family and some express the challenges of life. He is a portrait artist who is able to extract personality and depth from his subjects, all of which are represented in his realistic style.

Besides a 20-year career as a professional artist, Wilson maintains his graphic design business as well as teaching at Pitt Community College. He has work in numerous collections, both public and private, but is most proud of his official portrait of George Henry White, the last former slave to serve in Congress.